Suicide prevention text lines open new doors to help

THE ISSUE: An increasing number of young people in crisis are finding help and support through suicide prevention text lines.

THE IMPACT: Suicide ranks as the second leading cause of death nationally among teenagers and college students.

Gerry Tuoti Wicked Local Newsbank Editor

For some, a cry for help can come from a few taps on a touch screen.

While suicide prevention phone lines have long provided an outlet for people seeking help in times of crisis, text-based help lines have become increasingly common in recent years.

“We had kicked around the idea for a number of years because we had seen an ongoing transition of younger people who prefer to communicate by texting instead of with their voice over the phone,” said Steve Mongeau, executive director of Samaritans Inc. “For younger people, not just teens but people under the age of 30, we thought a text option might open up more of an opportunity.”

Since October 2015, Boston-based Samaritans has provided text messaging support on the Massachusetts Statewide Helpline, 1-877-870-HOPE (4673). Helpline staff and trained volunteers have responded to more than 6,000 text messages, an average of close to 500 per month and growing.

“It’s easier sometimes for some people to put their words in writing and click send,” said Jeremiah Mankin, text services manager for Samaritans. “I think that removes a barrier for some people.”

Another advantage of reaching out for help via text message is that the person seeking help can sometimes be more discreet. A person could privately have a text conversation with a helpline volunteer from a school cafeteria, on a bus or from their home.

“Conversations can be more private,” Mankin said. “Everyone around them doesn’t know what they’re doing.”

The helpline, in both voice and text forms, is confidential and anonymous. The service is free and available 24 hours a day.

Another service, the national Crisis Text Line, 741741, also provides free text support from trained volunteer counselors. Its counselors responded to more than 400,000 texts in 2016. This year, as the service becomes more well known, Crisis Text Line expects to respond to 875,000 text conversations. Since its launch in 2013, more than 47 million text messages have been exchanged on the national Crisis Text Line.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness month.

Warning signs that a person is suicidal include talking about wanting to die, talking about being a burden to others, withdrawing or feeling isolated, talking about feeling hopeless or in unbearable pain, increasing drug or alcohol use, sleeping too much or too little and exhibiting mood swings.

Even if someone suffering from depression is not suicidal, seeking treatment can often increase the person’s quality of life. Treatment often includes medication, therapy or a combination of the two.

“We want people to know they can reach out to us in complete confidence,” Mongeau said.